A Blog to track and share everything equine.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Boredom and head bobbing
Eli's been head bobbing and working up a sweat more so lately than before. Could be because he's in a paddock over the winter to prevent slipping and competing for hay ( not sure where he fits in with the herd but he wasn't the dominant one )
Or, could be his feed - too much Protien as mentioned in the Hard Keeper - Feeding Pellets post.
Either way I am sure it is some sort of anxiety associated with boredom. Which is probably another good reason he is free feeding. When he's eating he's not bobbing his head.
What I did and HOPE it works is put some hay in a hay net, the one we used in the trailer when transporting him and hung it from his shelter. The idea is that he will eat from there but have to work a bit to get the hay out. Might have to let him finish off the hay in his paddock before he shows any interest. PLUS, if it's snowing or raining he'll be protected from the elements.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, but I got it when I read a post about an EcoNet round bale. Seen a picture, but still haven't had a chance to look into that yet I will post about EcoNets once I research more.
Update: looks like its working. Went back two days later and netting was empty, certainly eating the hay so must be keeping him busy even if for just a short time. Refilled it before heading home.
Or, could be his feed - too much Protien as mentioned in the Hard Keeper - Feeding Pellets post.
Either way I am sure it is some sort of anxiety associated with boredom. Which is probably another good reason he is free feeding. When he's eating he's not bobbing his head.
What I did and HOPE it works is put some hay in a hay net, the one we used in the trailer when transporting him and hung it from his shelter. The idea is that he will eat from there but have to work a bit to get the hay out. Might have to let him finish off the hay in his paddock before he shows any interest. PLUS, if it's snowing or raining he'll be protected from the elements.
I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, but I got it when I read a post about an EcoNet round bale. Seen a picture, but still haven't had a chance to look into that yet I will post about EcoNets once I research more.
Update: looks like its working. Went back two days later and netting was empty, certainly eating the hay so must be keeping him busy even if for just a short time. Refilled it before heading home.
Hard Keeper - Feeding Pellets
Eli being a Thoroughbred is always on the lean to thin side and with winter here we are trying to make sure he and Ella put and keep weight on.
How we're trying to accomplish and maintain this is by, making sure they have continues access to hay (free feed), wear sheets to suit the climate, get regular exercise to maintain muscle and feed them pellet feed in thd form if a high-fat supplement mixed with a complete feed.
Having done this we noticed Eli was head bobbing and pacing quite a bit, this could be a number of this ( another post to follow will be AB idea I had to combat boredom). Someone made mention that it might be their feed. High protein or too much protein. So we have since changed it to Proform Step 6 to go along with the high-fat feed Proform Step 8.
I should have picked-up the maintenance Step 5 feed as it is 10% Protein and the Step 6 is 14%. I hope that this makes a difference because changing feed before they get used to it can't be good either.
We keep the feed in containers to help keep it fresh and prevent attracting mice and contamination from mice droppings.
Picture 1 is Step 6 feed. Picture 2 is Step 8 feed and remaining photos the containers and information found on Proform. Something I have to keep in mind is they amount they are fed and their daily intake of selenium.
Second last Picture: CR Profibre Crunch is recommended for horses with Metabolic Syndrome or sugar sedative and the last photo is a selenium 'guidline' found on the Internet.
Any feed or supplements should be Veternarian recommended or approved. H
How we're trying to accomplish and maintain this is by, making sure they have continues access to hay (free feed), wear sheets to suit the climate, get regular exercise to maintain muscle and feed them pellet feed in thd form if a high-fat supplement mixed with a complete feed.
Having done this we noticed Eli was head bobbing and pacing quite a bit, this could be a number of this ( another post to follow will be AB idea I had to combat boredom). Someone made mention that it might be their feed. High protein or too much protein. So we have since changed it to Proform Step 6 to go along with the high-fat feed Proform Step 8.
I should have picked-up the maintenance Step 5 feed as it is 10% Protein and the Step 6 is 14%. I hope that this makes a difference because changing feed before they get used to it can't be good either.
We keep the feed in containers to help keep it fresh and prevent attracting mice and contamination from mice droppings.
Picture 1 is Step 6 feed. Picture 2 is Step 8 feed and remaining photos the containers and information found on Proform. Something I have to keep in mind is they amount they are fed and their daily intake of selenium.
Second last Picture: CR Profibre Crunch is recommended for horses with Metabolic Syndrome or sugar sedative and the last photo is a selenium 'guidline' found on the Internet.
Any feed or supplements should be Veternarian recommended or approved. H
 |
| Proform Step 6 Feed on the LEFT Proform Step 8 Feed on the RIGHT |
 |
| Proform StepRight Step 8 Feed (High Fat) |
 |
| Proform StepRight Step 6 Feed (Senior) |
 |
| Selenium daily intake 'Guideline' |
Saturday's training session
Saturday's training with Ella went really well. Worked with lowering her head for the bridal. The bit didn't seem to bother that much at all and usual one hour session was extended to two hours.
Did some lunging and ground work in relation to effective communication in the saddle or when mounted. I can certainly see her confidence growing.
When Robyn (trainer) is working with her I see how willing she is and how much potential she has - then when practicing my homework with her prior to the lesson ending I realizing how much I have to learn as Robyn makes it look so easy.
I have to focus on my timing and make sure I am communicating with her properly and not sending mixed messages.
After Ella's training session I brought Eli in for some lunging - stretch out his legs and get some circulation going. When that was done I took off his halter and let him run around. Just after putting his halter back on he indicated that he wasn't quite done so before attaching the lead I gig z clip of him being a bit spunky, I will include that as well.
After training and lessons and some time cooling down they get their feed as a reward back in their paddocks. And plenty of fresh hay.
Did some lunging and ground work in relation to effective communication in the saddle or when mounted. I can certainly see her confidence growing.
When Robyn (trainer) is working with her I see how willing she is and how much potential she has - then when practicing my homework with her prior to the lesson ending I realizing how much I have to learn as Robyn makes it look so easy.
I have to focus on my timing and make sure I am communicating with her properly and not sending mixed messages.
After Ella's training session I brought Eli in for some lunging - stretch out his legs and get some circulation going. When that was done I took off his halter and let him run around. Just after putting his halter back on he indicated that he wasn't quite done so before attaching the lead I gig z clip of him being a bit spunky, I will include that as well.
After training and lessons and some time cooling down they get their feed as a reward back in their paddocks. And plenty of fresh hay.
Eli having fun running around in the Arena
Eli Following me in between the posts without a lead
ELLA
Ella Trot and Canter
Friday, 30 November 2012
Laminitis
I have been learning a lot. I thought that only draft crosses or heavier set quarter horses were prone ( more so ) to Laminitis, Founder or Seedy toe and that Thoroughbreds etc wouldn't be.
Turns out I was wrong and Laminitis is actually quite common in Thoroughbreds do to track injuries such as tendons causing uneven weight distribution.
Then you add on to that the fact they are pretty far from the natural environment of a pasture horse. Wet mud, dry grasses and forage. They are typically kept in box stalls and fed high protein feed for high energy, but this high sugar can lead to founder and even worse Metabolic Syndrome which is comparable to Type ll diabetes in humans.
Here I thought they had it made with personal trainers, dietitians and farriers. They would be paraded around in all these lavish sheets with bright colored leg wraps. Turns out those sheets are called coolers and are worn to prevent the horse from catching a chill after a race so that it Won't get sick and die ( there goes someone's investment ) so as long as they are still bringing in money everything appears to be fine aside from the obvious concerns of heart attacks or legs breaking.
I made a mistake when I was a kid never asking what happens to those ' retired ' racehorse that become an expense instead of an asset. Well, some are lucky enough to get a second chance at a life as a pleasure horse, dressage horse or hunter, jumper etc ( depending on whether it not they have sustained injuries ) but what happens to the ones that don't? Well, I'll post the video another day but am sure we get the idea.
Picture 1 racehorse - is a chart explaining Laminitis and Picture 2 is of the fat deposit resulting from Metabolic Syndrome.
Turns out I was wrong and Laminitis is actually quite common in Thoroughbreds do to track injuries such as tendons causing uneven weight distribution.
Then you add on to that the fact they are pretty far from the natural environment of a pasture horse. Wet mud, dry grasses and forage. They are typically kept in box stalls and fed high protein feed for high energy, but this high sugar can lead to founder and even worse Metabolic Syndrome which is comparable to Type ll diabetes in humans.
Here I thought they had it made with personal trainers, dietitians and farriers. They would be paraded around in all these lavish sheets with bright colored leg wraps. Turns out those sheets are called coolers and are worn to prevent the horse from catching a chill after a race so that it Won't get sick and die ( there goes someone's investment ) so as long as they are still bringing in money everything appears to be fine aside from the obvious concerns of heart attacks or legs breaking.
I made a mistake when I was a kid never asking what happens to those ' retired ' racehorse that become an expense instead of an asset. Well, some are lucky enough to get a second chance at a life as a pleasure horse, dressage horse or hunter, jumper etc ( depending on whether it not they have sustained injuries ) but what happens to the ones that don't? Well, I'll post the video another day but am sure we get the idea.
Picture 1 racehorse - is a chart explaining Laminitis and Picture 2 is of the fat deposit resulting from Metabolic Syndrome.
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Visit to the Stable
We had good intentions tonight for our visit to the stable, riding Eli and working with Ella and the bit..
When we got there Eli was head bobbing at the gate having worked up a sweat. Ella was relatively relaxed.
So we took Eli into the barn first on his own. His loud snorting and neighing indicated that he was pretty worked up so we opted to groom and then lunge him. I've heard too many times that once you start an exercise you have to follow through and being green I didn't feel I have the experience or confidence to do this mounted.
I'm certainly glad neither one of us hopped on because as soon as we got into the arena to lunge, Eli immediately went into a canter/lope with a bit of hind end lifting (not bucking). So lunge is what we did, each direction at a walk, trot, canter - each transition coming after he would indicate he's calming down and focused ( licking lips, mouthing, sighs or deep breaths )
The end of the session was a stop on whoa and mouthing.
Ella wasn't worked up, it was dinner time and she left the paddock without a fuss. Into the barn and grooming no trouble at all. Attempts to put the bridle on and the exercise to have her drop or lower her head to no avail.
She can lift her head waaay up and when I would bring it down she would thrust it back up as high as possible. She is fine to put a halter on, doesn't mind her head touched - but the moment the bits involved it's a bit of a different story ( no pun intended).
This was the first time I've attempted to use a bit with her for our session. The intention was to put the bridle with bit on over the halter then lunge her (using the halter). Doing this to occupy her mind but at the same time get her used to the sensation of the bit in her mouth.
It wasn't a complete fail. I didn't succeed in getting the bridle on, BUT we proceeded to the arena to lunge and she did AWESOME.
She did her walk, trot and lope. She stops for whoa with minimal correction needed, more a reminder the first time whoa is asked. It seems when she has the idea of what it is you are asking of her she is more than happy to oblige - she has a big heart. We just have to work on gaining trust and respect and with that will come calm and relaxed.
We were able to get a bit of a trim done on Eli's mane. The photos pretty bad but the cut looks good.
When we got there Eli was head bobbing at the gate having worked up a sweat. Ella was relatively relaxed.
So we took Eli into the barn first on his own. His loud snorting and neighing indicated that he was pretty worked up so we opted to groom and then lunge him. I've heard too many times that once you start an exercise you have to follow through and being green I didn't feel I have the experience or confidence to do this mounted.
I'm certainly glad neither one of us hopped on because as soon as we got into the arena to lunge, Eli immediately went into a canter/lope with a bit of hind end lifting (not bucking). So lunge is what we did, each direction at a walk, trot, canter - each transition coming after he would indicate he's calming down and focused ( licking lips, mouthing, sighs or deep breaths )
The end of the session was a stop on whoa and mouthing.
Ella wasn't worked up, it was dinner time and she left the paddock without a fuss. Into the barn and grooming no trouble at all. Attempts to put the bridle on and the exercise to have her drop or lower her head to no avail.
She can lift her head waaay up and when I would bring it down she would thrust it back up as high as possible. She is fine to put a halter on, doesn't mind her head touched - but the moment the bits involved it's a bit of a different story ( no pun intended).
This was the first time I've attempted to use a bit with her for our session. The intention was to put the bridle with bit on over the halter then lunge her (using the halter). Doing this to occupy her mind but at the same time get her used to the sensation of the bit in her mouth.
It wasn't a complete fail. I didn't succeed in getting the bridle on, BUT we proceeded to the arena to lunge and she did AWESOME.
She did her walk, trot and lope. She stops for whoa with minimal correction needed, more a reminder the first time whoa is asked. It seems when she has the idea of what it is you are asking of her she is more than happy to oblige - she has a big heart. We just have to work on gaining trust and respect and with that will come calm and relaxed.
We were able to get a bit of a trim done on Eli's mane. The photos pretty bad but the cut looks good.
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